An Analysis of Trump Supporters Has Identified 5 Key Traits

A new report sheds light on the psychological basis for Trump's support.

The lightning-fast ascent and political invincibility of Donald Trump has left many experts baffled and wondering, “How did we get here?” Any accurate and sufficient answer to that question must not only focus on Trump himself, but also on his uniquely loyal supporters. Given their extreme devotion and unwavering admiration for their highly unpredictable and often inflammatory leader, some have turned to the field of psychology for scientific explanations based on precise quantitative data and established theoretical frameworks.

Although analyses and studies by psychologists and neuroscientists have provided many thought-provoking explanations for his enduring support, the accounts of different experts often vary greatly, sometimes overlapping and other times conflicting. However insightful these critiques may be, it is apparent that more research and examination is needed to hone in on the exact psychological and social factors underlying this peculiar human behavior.

In a recent review paper published in the Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Psychologist and UC Santa Cruz professor Thomas Pettigrew argues that five major psychological phenomena can help explain this exceptional political event.

Authoritarianism refers to the advocacy or enforcement of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom, and is commonly associated with a lack of concern for the opinions or needs of others. Authoritarian personality syndrome—a well-studied and globally-prevalent condition—is a state of mind that is characterized by belief in total and complete obedience to one’s authority. Those with the syndrome often display aggression toward outgroup members, submissiveness to authority, resistance to new experiences, and a rigid hierarchical view of society. The syndrome is often triggered by fear, making it easy for leaders who exaggerate threat or fear monger to gain their allegiance.

Although authoritarian personality is found among liberals, it is more common among the right-wing around the world. President Trump’s speeches, which are laced with absolutist terms like “losers” and “complete disasters,” are naturally appealing to those with the syndrome.

While research showed that Republican voters in the U.S. scored higher than Democrats on measures of authoritarianism before Trump emerged on the political scene, a 2016 Politico survey found that high authoritarians greatly favored then-candidate Trump, which led to a correct prediction that he would win the election, despite the polls saying otherwise.

2. Social dominance orientation

Social dominance orientation (SDO)—which is distinct but related to authoritarian personality syndrome—refers to people who have a preference for the societal hierarchy of groups, specifically with a structure in which the high-status groups have dominance over the low-status ones. Those with SDO are typically dominant, tough-minded, and driven by self-interest.

In Trump’s speeches, he appeals to those with SDO by repeatedly making a clear distinction between groups that have a generally higher status in society (White), and those groups that are typically thought of as belonging to a lower status (immigrants and minorities).

A 2016 survey study of 406 American adults published this year in the journal Personality and Individual Differences found that those who scored high on both SDO and authoritarianism were those who intended to vote for Trump in the election.

It would be grossly unfair and inaccurate to say that every one of Trump’s supporters have prejudice against ethnic and religious minorities, but it would be equally inaccurate to say that many do not. It is a well-known fact that the Republican party, going at least as far back to Richard Nixon’s “southern strategy,” used strategies that appealed to bigotry, such as lacing speeches with “dog whistles”—code words that signaled prejudice toward minorities that were designed to be heard by racists but no one else.

While the dog whistles of the past were more subtle, Trump’s are sometimes shockingly direct. There’s no denying that he routinely appeals to bigoted supporters when he calls Muslims “dangerous” and Mexican immigrants “rapists” and “murderers,” often in a blanketed fashion. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a new study has shown that support for Trump is correlated with a standard scale of modern racism.

4. Intergroup contact

Intergroup contact refers to contact with members of groups that are outside one’s own, which has been experimentally shown to reduce prejudice. As such, it’s important to note that there is growing evidence that Trump’s white supporters have experienced significantly less contact with minorities than other Americans. For example, a 2016 study found that “…the racial and ethnic isolation of Whites at the zip-code level is one of the strongest predictors of Trump support.” This correlation persisted while controlling for dozens of other variables. In agreement with this finding, the same researchers found that support for Trump increased with the voters’ physical distance from the Mexican border.

5. Relative deprivation

Relative deprivation refers to the experience of being deprived of something to which one believes they are entitled. It is the discontent felt when one compares their position in life to others who they feel are equal or inferior but have unfairly had more success than them.

Common explanations for Trump’s popularity among non-bigoted voters involve economics. There is no doubt that some Trump supporters are simply angry that American jobs are being lost to Mexico and China, which is certainly understandable, although these loyalists often ignore the fact that some of these careers are actually being lost due to the accelerating pace of automation.

These Trump supporters are experiencing relative deprivation, and are common among the swing states like Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. This kind of deprivation is specifically referred to as “relative,” as opposed to “absolute,” because the feeling is often based on a skewed perception of what one is entitled to. For example, an analysis conducted by FiveThirtyEight estimated that the median annual income of Trump supporters was $72,000.

If such data is accurate, the portrayal of most Trump supporters as “working class” citizens rebelling against Republican elites may be more myth than fact.

The political scientist Corey Robin presents the case that conservatism IS fascism.
Equating fascism with core Trump support, I think your data bolsters his thesis. Maybe authoritarianism and definitely hierarchy and suspicion of out groups are part of conservatism as (and I'm speculating) that one should install a strongman in times of economic malaise. I think that reflects the social contract of conservatives- a dash of Hobbes' Leviathan and the economic state of nature which can spill into an actual state of nature plus tyranny which is what fascists plus their admirers crave

Absolutely. Democracy, which is an inherently left-wing concept promoted by peasant thugs trying to overthrow the Divine nobility, ultimately leads to fascism. Only the restoration of the aristocracy can bring society back from the brink.

The truth can be uncomfortable. Some people are easily manipulated by sociopaths. Trump appeals to these sorts of people. They are followers impressed by bravado and hollow promises. And they are being deceived by a master.

in my case i voted for every democrat for president from george mcgovern to barack obama (first term) save one libertarian in 1980 (and one in 2012). i voted for trump because he seemed less likely to prosecute further nuremberg vulnerable wars in the middle east and elsewhere (ukraine) and more likely to oppose the now revealed as corrupt doj, fbi and cia.

Yeah...as "now revealed" by Fox News and the now "genuflecting to Trump" Republican party and a campaign of Russian interference. Seriously, if those are your reasons for voting for him, you are sadly a victim of incorrect thinking. If you take offense to that, ask yourself why?

Trump's election was foretold decades ago, though.

"As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."
--H.L. Mencken

Why is this so hard for you psycho-babblers to understand? They LIKE WHAT HE SAID: Law & order (as opposed to disrespect for our police officers) American citizens get priority over illegal aliens (duh.?), less business regulations so businesses can grow & hire people, etc. Power to the people not the bloated government. Simple.

If folks woulld do their homeork, you would find that the ZUs controlled immigration to a greater degree than today. Eah year was different, but percentages of immigrants from cersin countries was regulated, along with their skill set, as we needed, and advertised in other countries, for those kinds of workers.

I agree. I was a faithful and loyal democrat until the year I voted for Trump. I believe that those who work hard should reap the rewards, not those who did nothing to earn it. I agree with many of his concepts...America first.

What a bunch of BS!! Nothing was mentioned about Trump supporters despising socialism, communism, disdain for the Constitution and the absolute treasonous stupidity of the today's democrat philosophy. I repeat - Gardner's comment is bull shit as is the article.

No, he didn't. The information isn't flattering, so if you're right leaning, which your surely are, you'd want to distance yourself from this info. You've done nothing to demonstrate your point, you've essentially pointed and said, "I know you are, but we are we?" I mean, really? Do you even take what you wrote seriously?

hillary clinton is a bankster and a war criminal, among other less attractive traits.

Definition of bankster: "a member of the banking industry seen as profiteering or dishonest." So then, she has the same qualities as Trump, you mean? "Seen as profiteering AND dishonest?"

Give me a break Jeff. You bought into the Russians smear campaign against Hillary Clinton, but cannot judge the quality of a human being like Trump against one like Hillary Clinton and come up with anything, at the very least, that he would be worse. I mean, he started his campaign by his birther idiocy. He should've been disqualified immediately for that alone. That was the first of hundreds of red flags. Did you think those were for a parade?

Part of the problem in the past of getting Liberals organized was that they didn't follow any of the traits the author listed. They were guilty of independent thought, something Trump's supporters seem incapable of. Nice try Right Wing troll.

You've got to be kidding me right? Everything that the left stands for has to fit into an every shrinking thimble. If you aren't for abortion, gender fluidity, global warming/climate change, affirmative action, etc etc, you get cast out by your own. There is nothing nor e'er was anything like this on the right. Anti-communism is the only thing has has ever unified the right historically. You can go back and read about the "reds" vs the "whites" in USSR history. Various interests, backgrounds, social status etc were united in an attempt to defeat communism. The left aka the reds who killed 10s of millions who didn't fall subject to their "superior" morales, even killed their own that didn't go far enough to the left. History repeats itself.

It's a psychological quirk that readers assume just because I'm analyzing and criticizing Trump supporters or the Alt-Right that I believe the left is perfect, or anywhere close to it. It is not, and tribalism on the left is an increasingly worrying problem, as you mention.

Quit defending and supporting heinous politicians just because you don't like the other side. Find a new candidate, and if needed, a new party, that you believe in.

My driving force was to evaluate the lesser of the two evils. Ultimately, I chose to vote against the candidate I saw as the most evil as neither would have been my choice given more upstanding options. I do not insist that anyone share my opinion nor do I mob them if they don't. I am in an educated minority group and am cognizant of issues before I cast my votes. I am aware not because someone tried to market an opinion to me but rather because I seek to understand the relational impact of the decisions I make. I do not tell others how to vote nor do I want them to tell me how to vote. A requirement that voters be able to "explain the issues" for which they are voting and "why" would be a step in the right direction. (And I don't mean simply parroting what they've been told to believe). Your categorization of voters is superficial at best. PS the lesser of the two evils is a personal choice. I stand by my choice with same conviction that you stand by yours. Acceptance of differing opinions displays civility.....just like tolerance, kindness, humbleness, philanthropy and understanding does.

While both sides CERTAINLY are tribal (a human trait), One side clearly has meritocracy at its core, while the other, entitlement. It is amazing, or perhaps not really, that Psychology Today would permit such a biased position, and then to see you actually defending your liberal position in the comment section. Trump resonates for one reason mainly and that is the average person is sick and tired of being labeled as a racist, homophobic (not a real thing, since it implies an irrational fear), unloving moron. In reality, they are hard working, fun loving, America First, patriots that accept everyone that works for their own position and die for the freedoms that allow such a great existence. Watch it with the labels. Your glass house is looking like a ripe target.

I secretly hope you are not an American Tony. Second thought I would get that. Oh my goodness, open your mind. Anti Communism is the only thing that has unified the right? Present situation in the USA is leading to a far more dramatic situation than your example of USSR history. Be concerned.
Vancouver BC Canada is amazing.

not bad but why not call her/him an irredeemable deplorable too? like insulting someone's intelligence or education, it is such a good argument and apparently garners great support while confusing and dispiriting your opposition. one might even liken it to abusing the opposition in public, chasing them from public facilities, or calling for the same from the houses of congress.

How does an individuals education level affect an individuals intelligence level? You are demonstrating your own ignorance and prejudices by commenting on education level ! This article simple states theories that are unsubstantiated by any recognized scientific method of proving a theory. Also using "observable evidence" to make correlations doesn't in any way prove a theory. Higher education does not equal intelligence! I do have a Bachleor Of Science Degree which doesn't entitle me or you to assume we are more intelligent than any American! Your insulting every American with your thoughtless comment!

Conservatives and the Conservative movement aka Conservatism are two different things. There are still a few conservatives left in the GOP but, due to attrition and the conservative movement it has essentially made them extinct.

The conservative movement came out of the militia(s) and Tea party movement as well as evangelical Christians that jumped on board the GOP train during the Reagan years.

Eisenhower GOP-ers are long gone sadly. What we are left with are a batch of conservative movement conspiracy theory know nothings. It's the dark ages in the USA today.

at this new breed of "conservatism". It's just a bunch of hacks with their pet issue as you said, whether it's sovereign citizenry wanting essentially anarchy, or the tea partiers with no taxes.

I found it interesting that the tea partiers want a huge military which if they got their way with taxes too, then can't be paid for. I personally am for paying our soldiers and taking care of them after their service.

Finally, you have the Evangelicals. The people of hope. Hope that we all forget that the separation of church and state is right in the Constitution itself.

I used to be a Buckley-style conservative member of the GOP.
I'm an independent now because blind allegiance to any political party is anathema to a properly functioning democracy.

This list of traits is a hoot since it so perfectly encompasses leftists in the US. It is the goosestepping left that with shrill insistance demands affirmation for every one of its latest fads such as trans-gendered four year olds and 64 different genders. Trump has proven to be a truly different kind of anti-politician who tweets whatever he believes without the normal tortured political filter (usually employed to stay within the Stalinist dictates of people like this article's author.) Whether you like what he has accomplished or not, you cannot argue truthfully that he has not kept his promises. The left's contentions that he would be either crazy, incompetent, or both have been utterly disproven by his actions. Although he has given the left the vapors, he has proven his political saavy and validated his claimed IQ. Oh well, only 6.5 more years followed by 8 years of Monsignor Pence.

Just curious, John, did this article anger you? And do you find it hard to accept that some people are gay and transgender? Does it somehow offend you when someone is different from you? Just wondering.

I assume you are referring to what the Right likes to label political correctness. Many of us prefer the term, "Respect", something that Trump and his followers know nothing about about. It's not a social trend to be gay or trans. These things are part of the human makeup since day one whether you or others like it. As to Trump's tweets, when we can actually figure out what the hell he is even talking about are embarrassments. He isn't acting professional by any means and if I were you I wouldn't look at that as an admirable quality.
The campaign promises that he has keep have NOT been beneficial to anyone, his supporters included. You assert, "The left's contentions that he would be either crazy, incompetent, or both have been utterly disproven by his actions." Actually his actions have shown those of us that posses the ability to think for ourselves that he is a complete lunatic that acts like a spoiled five year old. He has not shown any political saavy. In fact he still, after one and a half years in office and ample time while campaigning has shown he has no clue as to how our government works. No information on his IQ number is available so claims of it being high are not provable. His tweets and speeches however show that he is a complete idiot. I wouldn't be surprised if his IQ isn't much higher that 80 or 90 at best.
Another term for this knucklehead? He'll be lucky that after the Democrats gain control of The House and Senate that he'll even finish his first term. Pence as President? I doubt that enough Republicans will back Mr. Pasty Face for anything let alone a run at the WH. So delusional you are.

No, ot is political correctness. But thank you trying to be PC and lebel it "respect". I think a better PC trist would have been "forced acceptance". Conservatives have no problem with gay and trans existing. We have problems when we are told we much appreciate the lifestyle, pur kids should be exposed to it from the toddler stage, and that we are evil if we dont aant to participate.

And there is a reason liberals are called sheep. You all look for a shepard and you lovingly follow every word he says like he is a god. And yet you think this is what conservatives do? How blind and groupthink oriented are you people?

most conservatives are authoritarian, which at it's extreme is facism. however, libertarians aren't. a good way to understand it is the political compass(look it up). it's a test that measures your political position, and instead of placing you on a spectrum it places you on a grid. it has left to right as the economic spectrum and up and down as the social spectrum. most conservatives are in the upper right corner; they want less government when it comes to the economy but more government when it comes to social issues. if you look at trump's positions, he places to the left of most other republicans, but really high up. so it makes sense that most of his supporters are more authoritarian.

We seem to view income classes through 1980s glasses. $72,000 a year in many parts of this country still leaves you clearly in the working-class. For a typical nuclear family, it seems you would have to be well over $100,000 a year to be able to pay your bills and save a little money if you're careful. Most of this country has seen essentially flat wages over the last 30 years while prices have continued to rise swiftly and steadily. Now, who is it who keeps talking about that stuff?

Since I am no "poor me" whiner panhandler. & I can't be racist with my eldest son being half black and I am white. I am no submissive And NEVER give Absolute AUTHORITY to anyone over my freedom. Democrats had been in Power until 2017. stupid crap gets approved by these PC Do Gooders. I'm surprised Trump hasn't found out Democrats gave Kim jong Ung the White House as a bomb shelter to buy "No Nukes" peace treaties where He only has to act peaceful when democrats win their power back for good. How Democratic and Civilized the world will be with the put up and shut up politically correct Do Goodies Goodies hiding bags full of taxpayer money. When they are done buying Friendships, Conspiracy Theory Dossiers, the FBI, The Deep States Votes, and the UN's Catering Bills and Contract Killing international Hit List. Maybe we can have our respect, power, dignity and honor of our country back from the terrorists cold dead hands.
What kind of idiot or moron invites indigents to become criminals to live amongst us??? Who does that??? Who keeps open borders with Terrorism making their mass exodus. And who opens borders wider with International Trade Agreements following a terrorist attack with the terrorists at large??? Who doesn't care for themselves first then MAYBE we can be charitable and give aid to those in need. ?? What kind of business operates this way without going out of business, broke, bankrupt, or becoming CORRUPT and TYRRANICAL.??? The has been business in Memorial. Dead like our ancestors

If I'm all this as a trump supporter Then

LIBERALS are Schizophrenics
and DEMOCRATS are Anal Retentive and Frigid around their Pedophile and child Molester Supporters.

Your response was lame and failed to dispute any of the analysis resulting from professionals in their field of expertise. You just tossed out things you want to ascribe to "Liberals". You don't understand what a constitutes a Liberal and likely did not even bother to read the entire article with much comprehension.

The left highjacked the field of Psychiatry about 40 years ago. The Loons began ruling the asylum and hence the "Experts in their fields" you now slavishly worship. If there were ever a study done to determine the millions dead as a result of the behaviors normalized by these "Experts in their fields," you might actually awake from your zombie-like worship. Just consider how many millions would not have died of AIDS had they not normalized and promoted as "healthy" unrestrained sexual license.

Yes, the left took over science. This is why the left, along with the rest of the educated world believe in climate change. We also know the world isn't 6,000 years old. We don't make policy based on the Bible or any of the other 3,000 religions. Our presidents don't call leaders of other countries names and we don't have families that meet secretly with Russians. We feel that someone that has been married 3 times and still has to pay porn stars for sex, isn't a good role model for children. We don't elect presidents that gets their agendas from a t.v show. We like data, science and humanity.

For example, off the top of my head, the "prejudice" point this so called expert noticed. He failed to measure the "prejudice" among liberals, which isn't that far off based on what I've read. Even if I don't have the evidence off the top of my head, at LEAST it would be more honest to present that information. And why are we testing observation of someone who has bias. Why not hypothesize other factors that might make any one of these truths, invalid in light of other more useful contexts. Sad what has become of this country, a place where bullies are not only tolerated, but supported. This article is just helps provide authority to bullying, which presupposes any other context. Stupidity is rampant when either/or scenarios are used, and this article does exactly that.